Department of Biological Sciences

DEPARTMENT OFFICE
Biological Sciences 142
Phone: (323) 343-2050
E-mail: Biomicr@calstatela.edu
Website: http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/biol/

The Department of Biological Sciences offers programs leading to Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Biology, a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology. The Department of Biological Sciences also offers three minor programs, four certificate programs, and participates in one credential program.

The Faculty

Professors: Robert A. Desharnais, Lawrence Fritz, Patrick Krug, Philip S. LaPolt, Nancy L. McQueen, Paul Narguizian, Amelia A. Russo-Neustadt, Robert Nissen (Chair), Edith Porter, Tina Salmassi, Elizabeth Torres, H. Howard Xu.
Associate Professors: Kirsten Fisher, Hyunsook Park.
Assistant Professors: Andres Aguilar, Laura Cocas, Susan Cohen, Christine Scoffoni, Eric Wood, Alexandra Wright.
Emeriti: Wayne Paul Alley, Kenneth Anderson, Roger R. Bowers, Brian Capon, Theodore J. Crovello, Richard Fleming, John Gamon, William R. Hanson, Margaret J. Hartman, James W. Harvey, James Henrickson, George E. Jakway, Margaret C. Jefferson, Genaro A. Lopez, Daniel P. Mahoney, Rosemarie Marshall, Alan E. Muchlinski, Evan K. Oyakawa, Betsy Peitz, Carlos D. Robles, Howard Rosen, James M. Rosser, Mercer Price Russell, Joseph T. Seto, Sandra B. Sharp, David L. Soltz, Richard M. Straw, Velma J. Vance, Richard J. Vogl.

Departmental Honors Program in Biology

The Department of Biological Sciences offers an honors program for upper division biology students who have completed 70 semester units, including 30 units in the major, with a minimum B (3.0) grade point average both overall and in the major. Students shall have completed at least 18 units of the major in residence at Cal State L.A.

The honors program introduces highly motivated students to an intensive research experience in biology. Honor students are mentored by a faculty adviser and two other faculty committee members. The honors program introduces highly motivated students to an intensive research experience in biology. Honor students are mentored by a faculty adviser and two other committee members. Enrollment in BIOL 3960 , Honors Thesis in Biology, for 4 units is required, and enrollment in BIOL 4990 , Undergraduate Directed Study, for 1-3 units, is optional. A prospectus, a written thesis, and a final oral examination about the thesis, administered by the committee, are required parts of the program. Diplomas and transcripts of honors program graduates are designated: “Graduated with Departmental Honors in Biology.”

Departmental Honors Program in Microbiology

The Department of Biological Sciences offers an honors program for upper division microbiology students who have completed 70 semester units, including 30 units in the major, with a minimum B (3.0) grade point average both overall and in the major. Students shall have completed at least 18 units of the major in residence at Cal State L. A.

The honors program introduces highly motivated students to intensive research experience in microbiology. Honors students are mentored by a faculty adviser and two other committee members. Enrollment in MICR 3960 Honors Thesis in Microbiology, for 4 units is required. Students can apply these units to their degree program. A prospectus, a written thesis, and a final oral defense of the thesis, administered by the committee, are required parts of the program. Enrollment in MICR 4990 , Undergraduate Directed Study, 1-3 units, prior to MICR 3960 Diplomas and transcripts of honors program graduates are designated: “Graduated with Departmental Honors in Microbiology.”

The Credential Program

The Department of Biological Sciences participates in the interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree program in Natural Science, with an emphasis in Biological Sciences (http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/natsci),which satisfies the subject matter requirements for the Single Subject credential in Science. That program is described later in the Single Subject credential section of the catalog. Students should consult with advisers in the department and in the Charter College of Education. Refer to the undergraduate Charter College of Education chapter of this catalog for regulations governing all teaching credential programs.